AGE OF 791, MAY 14TH - TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO…
Gohan angrily paced around the floor of the living room. Pan had been gone all day and hadn't checked in once. She had a habit of coming and going as she pleased, but at least he could keep tabs on her by sensing her ki when he needed to. Wherever she was, she certainly did not want to be found. It felt like she was doing everything in her power to make sure her power level was hidden.
"Well, I just got off the phone with my dad," Videl announced as she walked in the room, equally frustrated, "Pan never returned to his dojo, nor did she ever call."
"I could've sworn I felt her take a different direction halfway through," Gohan muttered, "I was willing to give her until the end of the day to apologize, but at this rate, we're going to have to hunt her down."
"Did you feel where she could've detoured?"
The demi-Saiyan looked up in thought. "I think she may have banked left at some point," he replied, "She could've headed to Capsule Corp to visit the Briefs."
"Then I'll give Bulma a call," Videl responded, heading back to the den, "I'll let you know if she's still there."
"Yes, she was here, but she left hours ago," Bulma said to Videl over the phone. "No, I don't know where she went off to after that… Hang on, I'll ask."
She leaned her head over to the adjoining family room, where her family sat around either watching television or doing forced paperwork. "Does anyone know where Pan went off to after her visit here?"
Trunks looked up from his paperwork. "Huh? No. Is she okay?"
Bra twitched her nose. "Don't know, don't care…"
Vegeta gave a small snort, showing his similar disinterest.
"Nobody knows," Bulma replied on the phone, "Sorry. We'll keep an eye out for her though."
"What's this about Pan?" Trunks asked as he entered the room.
Bulma had just hung up. "Apparently Pan went out afterwards and hasn't checked in with her parents," she replied, "Videl's getting a little worried, but Gohan just wants to have a little 'chat' with her…"
Trunks crossed his arms. "She has been acting a little odd lately," he mused, "Today she asked me if I could start doing some serious training with her."
"And that's odd?" Bulma raised an eyebrow, looking slightly offended.
"Well… it's not like her to take fighting seriously…"
"Well, ever since she was announced the next World Champion and got knocked out in battle right after, I think that was enough to change her mind."
That sounded familiar… In fact, it was pretty much what Pan was saying when she came to him earlier that day.
"She's Goku's granddaughter," Bulma continued, "Do you really think she doesn't have what it takes to be a fighter like you guys?"
"Hardly!" Vegeta's voice rang out, just as he and Bra entered the room, "But that's what happens when you stick someone with the likes of that buffon Mr. Satan. She's now destined to be the next clown!"
"Hey, knock it off!" Trunks shouted, "Pan's no clown! She's strong!" He then softened his face, realizing what he was saying, "I mean… for who she is, anyway…"
"Dad's right, y'know!" Bra hissed, "Pan's just a loser who thinks she can be as strong as the men, but goes running and hiding when things really get rough!"
"Knock it off, Bra!" Trunks threatened a fist, "Or I'll make YOU go running and hiding!"
He was immediately thwarted by his own father, standing in the way between him and his sister. "Do it and die," he snarled.
Trunks lowered his fist, but his anger didn't waver.
"Pan probably realized her place and went hiding in shame," Vegeta snorted, "Good riddance."
"She's still my friend, and I don't appreciate you speaking about her like that!" Trunks growled.
"If I'm wrong, then why didn't you choose to train her yourself?"
Trunks was silent.
"If you're all done acting like morons," Bulma interjected, "I think we should ALL fan out and look for her. Just to make sure she's okay." She eyes her family members harshly, "After all, I think ALL of you have a reason to make her wanna run and hide…"
"Aw, Mom, do I have to?!" Bra whined.
"YES, Miss 'I Can Get My Daddy to Kill Any Popular Girl I Want!"
"Who's bothering you this time?" Vegeta asked Bra.
"Nobody is killing anybody!" Bulma shrieked, "Now get going!"
Trunks rushed towards the nearest open balcony and took flight, with Vegeta and Bra reluctantly following.
It had been over a day since Pan went missing. There was no trace, no word, and no ki energy sensed. Gohan and Videl were now officially worried.
They called all her friends, and all their family friends. No one had seen her or heard from her. Friends joined in and scouted her favorite hang outs and other popular places. Not a trace anywhere.
The search started small. Gohan searched every inch of Mt Paozu, while Krillin had his fellow officers scope around Satan City, with Goten's assistance. Chichi and Videl stayed behind in their respective houses just in case she returned home. Valese helped out by setting up social media accounts and spreading the word of Pan's disappearance.
When nothing still came up, Gohan was forced to branch out. Bulma and the others had already volunteered to cover West City. Tien, who lived up in the northern regions, helped in the search by flying around the alps, using his third eye. Unfortunately, he came up with nothing. Uub volunteered to take the southern region, and searched all around his home island, as well as Papaya Island and the Tenkaichi Budokai tournament arena, all with no luck. Yamcha had his friends and family from Okami Village comb the nearby Diablo Desert that he was all-too familiar with. Fortunately there were no bodies… unfortunately there was also no sign of Pan.
Vegeta was forced along to help search for Pan as well. He only did it, as he claimed, out of respect for Kakarrot… though everyone else was sure Bulma had a hand in making him. He took up the canyons where he and Kararrot first did battle together, searching behind every rock and crater, and down open crevices. After a day's worth of searching, he called it quits and headed off back home.
If he had only searched the crevices a little deeper…
"My granddaughter Pan has been missing for over a month now!" Mr. Satan said in a television press conference, "We don't have a clue where she went off to, nor have any idea how she may be doing right now. Which is why I am hereby offering a one million zeni reward for ANY information that can lead to her whereabouts!"
"MR. SATAN!" a rep burst through Satan's office is a mad rush, "They found her! Someone found your granddaughter! She's here right now!"
Mr. Satan nearly fell out of his chair in shock. "She is?!" he cried, "Well then take me to her!"
He and the rep made a dash out of the office and down to the lobby, where three distinct individuals (an old woman, an aging nina dog, and a wrinkly old goblin-like creature) were circled around a fourth person. "Move aside!" Mr. Satan ordered as he rushed in, "Let me see her! Pan! Is that you, sweetie?! Where have you been all this ti-"
He froze in his tracks as the three stepped to the side to reveal a tall, slender, beautiful looking young teen gaze back. "Pan…?" Satan muttered.
It looked like Pan all grown-up… same red shirt, jean capris, even the orange bandana around her head. But something seemed off… Her eyes were a slightly different shape, and her body didn't have the same tone as one would have when practicing martial arts since childhood.
The girl nonetheless smiled brightly, held her arms up, and stepped towards the older man. "Grandpa!" she chimed, "It's me! I've missed you so much…"
But before she could hug him… he grabbed her arm, hurled her over his shoulder, and slammed her into the ground.
The three strangers shrieked in terror. "MAI JUNIOR!" the woman cried.
"QUIET!" the blue goblin shouted at her, "Don't use her real name, you idiot! She's PAN, remember?"
"Oh right…" mutter the woman, "Pan! Are you okay, sweetheart?"
"SHUT UP!" Mr. Satan shouted in pure fury, "If that WERE Pan, she'd have stuck the landing after I threw her over my shoulder, then hurled ME into the wall and well across the street!" He pointed harshly at the not-Pan, "THAT is not my granddaughter, just a copycat tryin' to hustle money out of me! Shame on you! Now get out before I REALLY get angry and throw ALL OF YOU clear across the street from inside!"
The group screamed in terror and raced out of the dojo. "I'm sorry, Auntie Mai!" the young teen cried.
"Don't worry about it, we'll try again some other time!" the old woman responded.
Six months had passed, and still no word or clue on where Pan could possibly be…
With options running low, Videl and her father traveled to the Southwestern Continent to pay Fortuneteller Baba a visit.
"I'll be more than happy to help you find your daughter," Baba explained, "However, I do need to make you aware of my prices…"
"Yeah yeah, Master Roshi told us all about it," said Mr. Satan, "Ten million zeni. That's no problem."
"Actually, with the rescission on the rise, I had to raise my prices… The cost will be 200 million zeni."
"TWO HUNDRED?!" Satan shrieked, "That's highway robbery!"
"Well I need to eat too, you know!"
"Eat what? Jewel-encrusted lobsters?!"
"Well, if you have a problem with my prices, you're more than welcome to take on my five warriors!"
"A bunch o' Halloween rejects? No problem! Bring them on!"
"Actually…" Baba reached over and pulled a nearby rope, which rang a massive gong. From different parts of the lobby, five different, frightening figures lined up. "My old crew just wasn't cutting it, now that people on this Earth are getting stronger and stronger…
"Meet Queen Xenomorph…" Baba motioned to a black-scaled lizard-looking alien with an eggplant-shaped head and vicious teeth.
"Fred…" A decayed-looking corpse gave a vicious smile and waved his super sharp claws.
"Counsellor Jason…" A large fellow wearing a hockey mask gave a blank yet menacing stare.
"Ghosthead…" This one looked like a man wearing a spooky mask, but was intimidating nonetheless.
"And Mister Chuckles…" The two calmed down at the sight of an adorable looking olay doll… until he gave a sinister, nasty grin and pulled out a machete.
Mr. Satan cringed and hid behind Videl, but then gave a loud gulp. "Okay…" he muttered, "They may look scary and lethal… But I'd do anything for Pan!" He stepped around his daughter and pounded his fists together. "Okay! Bring it on!"
"Do you take Visa?" Videl asked, causing Satan to fall on his face.
"I take everything except personal checks," said Baba as she floated on her crystal ball to a cash register nearby.
"Are you outta yer mind, Videl?" Mr. Satan cried, "She's just taking advantage of our situation!"
"I don't care!" Videl spat, "I don't have time to waste waiting on you to fight five killer fighters. Two hundred million is worth finding Pan for. Now come on!"
The five fighter hung their heads and sulked out of the room, disappointed that they wouldn't be shedding blood today.
The three sat in the back room in complete darkness, except for the light radiating from Baba's crystal ball, placed in the center.
Baba waved her hands around and chanted, "Crystal Ball, tell if you can… The whereabouts of the girl named Pan!"
The crystal fizzled, shone, clouded over, and sparkled… then showed what looked like a complete steel wall.
Videl and Mr. Satan leaned closer. "What is it?" Mr. Satan asked, "Where is that thing at?"
Baba took a closer look herself. "It… it's a barrier," she responded in disappointment.
"A barrier to what?" Videl cried.
"No… a barrier in general," Baba sighed, "Wherever your daughter is, she is secluded in a space that does not allow an outer presence."
"What do you mean?" Satan shouted, reaching over and grabbing the old witch by her cloak, "We paid you two million just for you to say you can't find my granddaughter?!"
"There are some unnatural forces that exceed even my own!" Baba replied, pulling away and setting more distance between her and the other two. "I do apologize, but it seems your daughter Pan is in a place that is unreachable."
"Then what good are you then?!" Satan shouted, "Give our money back!"
"Sorry. I have a strict no-refund policy."
"WHAT?! Why I oughta-"
"If you want, you're free to go against my five warriors. If you beat them, I'll issue you that refund."
Mr. Satan's face went from pure rage to pure fear. "On second thought… keep the money."
"Still no luck?" Bulma asked as Trunks dejected returned from another several rounds across the globe.
"Nope…" Trunks groaned, dragging himself across the room and slumping onto the couch. "I just don't get it. We can't sense her power level, no one's even seen her, and there isn't a single clue where she could've gone." He lowered his head. "It's like she doesn't want to be found…"
"Or she's dead," spoke Vegeta.
"Vegeta!" Bulma snapped, "Don't say such a thing!"
"Get over yourselves!" Vegeta snapped back, "You all act as if Pan is still around and we'll just run into her hopefully. It's been over a year now! If we haven't heard from her now, then we're never hearing from her again!"
He turned to walk out of the room and away from everyone, when he felt his shirt get grabbed and he was suddenly thrown into the wall. "SHUT UP!" Trunks shouted, "This is all your fault, you know! YOU'RE the reason she ran away!"
Vegeta grit his teeth, reared back, and knocked his fist into his son's face, blowing him backwards into the wall. "Don't ever scream in my face again! Son or not, I'll destroy you next time!"
Trunks, sprawled on the ground now, turned his head angrily to his father. "How dare you..! You haven't changed a bit since you first came to Earth, have you?"
"And are you any better?!" Vegeta seethed, "You didn't want to train her either, do you recall?"
Trunks narrowed his eyes. "We all may have turned her down to training, but it was YOUR words that drove her away!"
Vegeta glared back with a frown but no words. There was no argument there…
"Stop it!" Bulma shouted, jumping in between the two. "There's no reason to make enemies with each other! It sure as hell won't bring Pan back! Just call it a night and keep away from each other!"
The two men gave each other dirty looks and groans before turning opposite directions and heading off.
Vegeta would never admit out loud the guilt he felt.
What's the point of trying? It's been 22 months and still not a single sign of Pan… Goten and Trunks called it quits for the night and hung out together in the canyons to drown their sorrows in bad habits.
"You know those cancer sticks will kill you," said Goten before downing half a bottle of sake.
"Oh, and drinking is healthier?" Trunks snarked as he tossed aside his finished cigarette.
Goten groaned in response and placed his empty bottle to the side. "It takes a load off, for sure…"
"Why's that? You and Valese doing okay?"
"Oh, we're fine," said Goten, "Though I think she's nudging at me to ask her to marry me…"
"Whoa, that's a lot!" said Trunks, "You gonna?"
"We'll, I want to, for sure," Goten replied, "But, like… how can I? With Pan still gone, and all… We should at least try to find her first…"
Trunks stared down at the ground below. "Goten, I…" he sighed, "I'm sorry."
Goten blinked. "For what?"
"Pan disappearing… I keep thinking to myself, if I only said yes when she asked me to train her. She'd probably still be here."
Goten tightened his look. "It's not just you, Trunks," he said, "She asked me as well. And I actually did say I'd train her… before Gohan scared me off…"
"I can't blame Gohan for wanting to keep Pan safe," said Trunks, "I felt the same way. But at the same time… Can you imagine how she must have felt when she tried to find a trainer just to constantly be told no? It's no wonder she ran away…"
Goten lowered his head and sighed. "Do you think she went away somewhere to train?'
"That's a better thought than the alternative…"
Goten clenched his teeth. "I don't even want to think about that!"
"What do you think, Goten? Should we give these canyons another go around?"
The demi-Saiyan gave a deep sigh. "Nah, what's the point? We're not going to find her anytime soon…"
"We'll find her," Trunks assured, "Sooner or later, I'm sure of it."
"I hope you're right…"
The two got up and took the the skies…
Had they decided to stay and search, they possibly would've found that ship hidden deep down in one of the canyon's pits.
AGE OF 793, MAY 15th
Gohan and Videl knew the moment Krillin and a fellow officer from Satan City appeared in their home that the news would not be good.
"Guys, I personally decided to come here to let you know…" Krillin started, "I know we've all been working hard and searching every nook and cranny to find Pan. But today marks two years since the official missing persons report was filed…"
"What are you saying..?" Videl asked, voice cracking as she held tightly onto her husband's arm.
"After two years and nothing but a cold trail," the policewoman with Krillin said, "I'm afraid protocol dictates we declare your daughter officially dead."
The news hit the parents like a runaway freight train. "Dead…?" Videl murmured in disbelief.
"I'm really sorry, you guys," Krillin took a comforting hold of Videl's hand, "We all did everything we could to find Pan. But even the other Z fighters could find a trace of her, so…"
"You're wrong!"
Krillin jumped at the sudden boom of Gohan's voice. The otherwise easy-going son of Goku was looking livid, with clenched teeth, fists, and narrowed eyes. "She's NOT dead!" he cried, "I know she isn't!"
"Mr. Son, unless we're given a clue where she is, then we have no choice but to declare her dead," said the policewoman, "There's no reason to continue this search, especially if we haven't found a single trace of her whereabouts!"
"Then I'LL keep looking!" Gohan shouted, "You all can stop if you have to, but I'm not giving up! I WILL find my daughter!"
Krillin gave a heavy sigh. "All I can say then, Gohan, is good luck…"
AGE OF 793 - CHRISTMAS EVE
It had been seven months since Pan was officially declared dead. Gohan never stopped his search. He refused to sign her death certificate. He paid no mind to the growing tribute to her at Mr. Satan's dojo. He even ordered Mr. Satan to cancel his public funeral for her. Bulma offered to hold a small celebration of life just for friends and family, only to be hollered at by Gohan. He was not accepting any of it.
He sat there in front of the fireplace, a plate of Kung Pao chicken in his lap, barely touched. He just stared blankly at the cackling fire before him in silence.
Kung Pao Chicken was her favorite Chinese dish.
This would be their second Christmas without Pan… Christmas Eve Chinese Takeout just wasn't the same without her…
"Gohan?"
The half-Saiyan snapped out of his daze and looked up at his wife, who was offering him a cup of tea. ""Here. Why don't you drink something?"
"May as well," Gohan sighed, setting aside his dinner and taking the tea, "This chicken isn't going anywhere, unfortunately…"
VIdel walked to the other side of the cough and sat next to her husband. She slipped her arm around his and leaned her head against her shoulder. "I know exactly how you feel…"
"Do you… do you really think she's gone for good?" Gohan quietly asked.
"I don't know…" Videl sighed, "I wish I could say yes, but let's be real… She's been gone for over two years now without a single trace."
"I just wanted to keep her safe," said Gohan, "I didn't want her to go through the trauma I was put through. I just wanted to study and become a scholar. I never wanted to be this strong warrior with untapped potential to save everyone. But this…" He lowered his head, "This is honestly the worst trauma I've ever dealt with…"
"Whatever happens in the end, dear, we'll handle this trauma together," Videl assured, reached up to cup Gohan by his cheek and slightly pulling him downward to kiss the other. "Right now… let's just try to enjoy the holiday while we can… and hope wherever Pan is, she's okay."
Gohan gave a weak smile, which was better than Videl could hope for. Gohan just hasn't been his bright cheerful self since Pan's disappearance. The two leaned in and shared a warm, albeit short kiss…
It would have been longer if VIdel's cell phone hadn't gone off with a distinct ringtone. "Ugh… Perfect timing as always, Dad…" she muttered as she reached down and answered. "Hello?"
The mood suddenly changed and became tense. "What? What are you saying?! Dad, Calm down, I can barely understand you! Can you repeat that?"
She quickly fumbled to put the phone on speaker, figuring Gohan definitely needed to hear this as well.
"I JUST GOT A MESSAGE THAT THE EMERGENCY CREDIT CARD I GAVE TO PAN JUST GOT USED IN CENTRAL CITY AT SOME CHINESE TAKE OUT PLACE! Get'cher butts over there and investigate THIS INSTANT!"
Gohan didn't waste a second. He was already in the air, Videl in his arms, blasting off to Central City. He kept his senses about, hoping to feel a familiar energy, but so far, nothing yet…
He found the restaurant that Mr. Satan had said was ordered from, and immediately dropped down, placing a disoriented Videl on her feet and rushing into the restaurant.
"Was there a girl here?!" he cried the second he reached the counter.
The two employees up front just stared flabbergasted. This was the second person to literally come out of thin air and demand something… "Uh…"
Gohan yanked out his wallet and fished for a picture of his daughter, then shoved it in their faces. "THIS girl!" he said, "About 4 foot 1, slender, slightly toned, black hair to her shoulder, probably wearing a red shirt and orange bandana!"
The cashier leaned in for a closer look. "Oh yes!" he replied, "That looks like the girl who was here a moment ago!"
"That was her?!" Gohan cried, "Are you sure?"
"Yes! Only her hair was a little longer, and there was no bandana… But she was definitely wearing red. Oh yes. I'm sure it was her. SHe nearly bought every dish on our menu!" He smiled deeply, "Business is slow on Christmas Eve, so we were very much appreciative."
"Which way did she go?!" Gohan barked.
"Oh," the cashier blinked, "This may sound strange, but once she got her food, she went outside and flew away."
"WHERE did she fly?!"
The cashier scratched his head, then pointed forward. "That direction… Southeast, I suppose.
Gohan was once again racing through the skies, holding Videl closely. Despite the fact she could fly herself, he didn't want her straggling behind if this was indeed their daughter they were about to find. According to those men, Pan headed southeast of the city… meaning she was heading towards the canyons.
Sure enough as he blazed closer, he could suddenly pick up a familiar ki.
'It's her..!'
He didn't slow down once as he charged on ahead, keeping his eyes peeled for his child. It didn't take a minute before he finally spotted a familiar figure in the distance.
Pan had just landed on the ground, ready to head down the crevice where Yamura's ship was hiding under. First she needed to readjust herself and the many bags filled with different Chinese dishes that she was holding.
But before she could drop down, she suddenly felt a familiar ki appear out of nowhere and appear right behind her. 'That ki…' she thought to herself, 'Is that..?"
"PAN!"
That voice was definitely familiar. She slowly turned around, and the Chinese food dropped right out of her arms at the sight of her parents.